Automatic washing machine



June 3,1952 y c. s. JACOBS ErAL .Y 2,598,918

' l AUTOMATIC WASHING MACHINE June 3, 1952 c. s. .JAccBs ETAL 2,598,918

AUTOMATIC WASHING MACHINE original Filed Jane 27, 194s l' 1o. sheets-smet 2 -June 3, 1952 c. s. JAcoBs ETAL 2,598,913

AUTOMATIC WASHING MACHINE original Filed June 27, 194e v 1o sheets-sheet s K ,lu/

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C. s. JACOBS ErAL AUTOMATIC WASHING MACHINE lJune 3, 1952 `1o sheets-sheet@ Original Filed June 27, 1946 Wz'Zca/r June 3, 1952 c. s. JAdp'nBs ErAL AUTOMATIC WASHING MACHINE 1'0 sheets-sheet 5 Original Filed June 27, 1946 June 3, 1952 c. s. JACOBS Erm.

vAUTon/uvrc WASHING MACHINE Original Filed June 2'7,` 1946 10 Sheets-Sheet 6 44a 454/57 k )Qs 254i: L--l 5. muy 1M W 59, z; Mw

June 3, 1952 c. s. JACOBS Erm. 2,598,918

AUTOMATIC WASHING MACHINE original Filed June 27, 194e l msheets-sheet -7 INVENTOR, `Z4 fue, .72442;

June 3, 1952 c. s. JAGoBs ETAL AUTOMATIC WASHING MACHINE Original Filed June 27, 1946 1o sheets-sheet s INVENTORSl flare J-zcq Mafia F14/HM I 4 Y /yrfaJr/VEKS,

June 3, 1952 c. s. JAcoBs ETAL. 2,598,918

AUTOMATIC WASHING MACHINE Original Filed June 27, 1946 l0 Sheets-Sheet 9 j: 750 cfcfz C. S. JACOBS ET AL AUTOMATIC WASHING MACHINE `lune 3, 1952 v1o sheets-sheet 1o Original Filed June 27, 1946 JNVENTORS. fie/e /V Patented June 3, 1952 AUTOMATIC WASHING MACHINE Clare S. Jacobs and Merton F. Wilcox, Detroit,

v Mich., assignors, by mesne assignments, to

Horton Manufacturing Company, Fort Wayne, Ind., a corporation of Indiana Original application June 27, 1946, Serial No. 679,698. Divided and this application July 24, 1948, vSerial No. 44,764

Claims. (Cl. i4-337.5)

The invention relates to washing machines and it has particular relation to a clothes washing machine which operates automatically through a given cycle of operations. In certain respects the invention is related to those embodied in the copending applications for patent iiled in the names of Hyman D. Brotman, Serial Nos. 573,362, filed January 18, 1945, now abandoned, and 639,065, iiled January 4, 1946, now Patent No. 2,468,919, and the copending application of Merton F. Wilcox, No. 606,525, filed July 23, 1945, now Patent No. 2,582,810. This application is a division of the copending application of Clare S. Jacobs and Merton F. Wilcox, Serial No. 679,698, filed June 27, 1946.

In the washing machines embodied in the copending applications for patent, a perforated cylinder is provided for containing the clothes to be washed and during the washing and rinsing operations, the cylinder automatically is rotated rst in one direction through a plurality of revolutions and then in the other direction through a plurality of revolutions. After the nal rinse, the cylinder is automatically rotated in one direction at high sped for the purpose of extracting moisture from the clothes so as to leave them in a semi-dry condition. The cycle of operations may be altered as may be evident, and, for example, one or more short extracting stages may be introduced, such as a short extracting stage immediately following the washing stage and a short extracting stage immediately following the first rinsing stage. The present invention involves improvements in the construction of the frame and the cabinet of the machine, improvements in the operating mechanism and improvements in the manner in which the parts are arranged and assembled.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved type of automatically operated mechanism for governing movement of the cylinder wherein the reverse and high speed operations may be performed eiliciently and without undesirable strain on the operating parts.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved type of operating mechanism which is mounted on the framework of the machine in a simple manner so as to promote smoothness of operation and at the same time minimize shocks in the mechanism when changing from one stage of operation to another.

Another-object of the invention is to provide an improved'operating mechanism wherein the changes from one direction to another and the change from slow speed rotationv to high speed 2 extracting rotation is effected in a simple manner while still insuring positiveness and durability in the operation of the machine.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved Washing machine wherein the operating parts are readily accessible for repair or replacement or for any other attention that might be necessary.

Other objects of the invention will become apparent from the following specification, from the drawings relating thereto, and from the claims hereinafter set forth.

For a better understanding of the invention, reference may be had to the drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view with certain parts broken away and other parts shown in cross-section, illustrating a washing machine constructed according to one form of the invention;

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 2-2 of Figure 1, with some parts broken away;

Figure 3 is a top or plan view oaf the machine shown by Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a side view of the operating mechanism with certain parts removed for the purposes of clarity;

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line I I-I I of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line I 2-I2 of Figure 4;

Figure 7 is a view taken substantially along the line I3-I 3 of Figure 4;

Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line I4-I 4 of Figure 4;

Figure 9 is a view on a larger scale taken substantially along the line IS-I 5 of Figure 6;

Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line I6-I6 of Figure 6;V

Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line I'I--I'I of Figure 6;

Figure l2 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line I8-I8 of Figure 6;

Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line Ill-I9 of Figure 6;

Figure 14 is a detail view in section showing the means for shifting the reversing clutches;

Figure 15 is an end view of the cam for controlling the temperature of the inlet water;

Figure 16 is a developed plan view of the cam shown by Figure l5; and

Figure 17 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the arrangement of cams, valves,' and electric circuit.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, it may be stated 3 initially in general terms that the machine comprises an inner framework I0, a tub II, a rotary cylinder I2, automatically operating mechanism I4 for governing movement of the cylinder, and an outer casing I3. These Agenerallyindicated parts of the 'fmachiin'e'will be considered in 'order.

The inner framework comprises two end frames I3 and I9 and these frames are substan-y tially identical. Each frame is substantially rectangular in cross-section and along its "vertical side edges it has anges 20 and 2| lwhich are directed towards the same 'side' of fthe frame.

' The bottom portions of the frames-,are connected by reinforcing channel elements 22 and 23. Each of the frames I8 and I9 at each lower corner is provided with a viootlfiil adapted -to jrest on the floor so as to hold "the'-macliine solidly in position.

The tub Il comprises a generally cylindrical band 32 having at ea'ch end circumferentialls .spaced :angle brackets Awhich are ksecured. to the tWo Vframes by` riyets. The `circular:ends :of the band project :into annular fbeads ,respectively formedzon the `frames I8 Vand I-9-and in order to vseal erachfendvof theband against its `framean annularrubber-sealing ring is provided in each oi :the beads `vand =thisrrsealing rngreceives the adjacent end of the band. A Y

Thecylinder |2, Aas :best shown by .Figures l :and romprisesfeencwuy dish shaped end walls 50, each-of whichis provided with -a peripheral ilange 5|, and suchend Walls lit within and are securedtoeayperforated cylindrical -wall 52. Such 4cylindrical Awall 52, at circumferentially spaced points, has inwardly directed, .perforated vbaiiles z 54 y.which are fuseful .in lifting the clothes during Y rotation efgthe-cylinderyas will be -readily unfderstood.v Each of the end 4walls 5i) icarries Va spider 55 which is riveted to the outer marginal v,portion-cf the endlwall as indicated'at 5 6 and ,such V spiders have .hub' portions -51 located in axial alignment Vwith the axisof Vthe cylinder.

Asbest vshown by Figure il, therightfend Awall of the cylinder has a trunnion 58 which prlects through the-hub` 51 'and through` a central opening .in `the 7Lend :frame I91and such -trunnion is welded v`or otherwise drivingly connectedto the hub. Within-.theopening in -theendifragme the trunnionis supported in -a bearing sleeve 66 and Athis bearing-sleeve is' in turnfsupported by a rubber sleeve -6|. In turn, the rubber sleeve is mountedin-anaxially'directed hub 62 :having a 'radially directed ange 64 secured Vto the -end A plate by circumferentially spaced bolts 65. Y'This arrangement :provides a resilient mounting for the trunnion .-58 `sc thatduring rotation ofthe cylinder,lthe rubber acts as a cushioning element. The-trunnion for-thecpposite end of the cylinder is indicated at .B6 and corresponds substan- .tiallyto thetrunnionS-and is similarly mounted in the hub'of vthe spider at such end ofthe cylinder. LI-Icwever,fthe .trunnion 66 r'is employed to drivethe,cylinderandfor this purpose itA projects beyond lthe oute'rfside of the frame f I8 and has a large zpu-lley .10 vkeyed thereto.

The Vforegoing descriptionl j generally; indicates the character of theframey and tub, and the: -ro tary 4cylinder tmounted therein. l.Further preference will be had to certain details relatngvto Consequentlm :Whenthe pulley pisA driven the cylinder Y"2, at its lower end has a foot receiving cavity I I5 which has lits inwardly'disposed wall secured to the Ychannel 23 by screws IIE, This anchors V-the lower end of the front panel in position. Up-

. gages the largefpully 7.10

wardly from ,the cavity H5, the front panel fhas a door Yrecess |I8 which normally is closed by a door |I9 and this door carries hinge elevrments |20 which are Vhinged by means of a pin 1|"2I to 'hinge 'bracket |22 carried by the panel. A spring |23 connected to the hinge brackets at one end and connected at its other end to brackets |24 on the panel vnormally holds the door closed. At vone-pointithe door has alouverppening |25 to enable gripping the door and Qpenjng it manually. This door is provided f or obtaining access to a drain v chamber Whichwillfbegrnen- .tioned later.

4A1; the upper edge of ,the opening 4.1.8,. the front panel has an einWardl-y directed lange :|25 which Ais secured to a tie bander crossbar 2 8 which yextends between Ythe front 'flanges 2,0 and .2| of the two frames I8and|i9gand is `secured tp such flanges and from lthis itgfollows fthat the panel is thus firmly connected to the `frames. Towards the top of the front panel it isprovided with an opening l3c|l-whichaccommodatesf trol panel |3I although this control paneljis not secured to the fron-cpanel.

The central 'region of the top |1'|,as-se en in Figure 2, has anlqpenine '|45 which .is normally closed by a door |50 fwhich'isvhingedtoitheftopzby :hinge elements |51 .carriedlhy a hineetpint-len- .easing-a hinge plate-or strip Iy 513. asf-,best-.shown by Figure 1.the1top |50 Aseals-asainst the-.sealing ring andai: its-,centerithas a depending@- Anular flange |51 whichireceves Ya glass |58. rllhis -glass is he1dvinplaceby-alretainine ,ring ld.

The door SL50 .fis .adapted tube :held fin closed rositin by. a latchingmeeha 'sm ai 6 lione ted by Ya lhandle I 90 Y'ccoprat-r1e fwlthsa keeper Yf|r2 1de- -pending from .the door.

As shown by'FisurefZfthe: Qperatingzmslransm' isimounted in the-cabinet below the' b sIfI `,and such mechanism .includes generally ;amotcr 210B .and -a `power transmission 20|. YThe .-.rnctcr -is mounted by means cf a :U-fshaped bracket 2012 vwhichis carriedby-aframe structure #D3 rigidly .secured'toa bar for pivot 204 `-jpur-naled inthe -two frames |-8 andIQ. Thetransmission includes a casing2|l1 which is hingedfatitslowenendas indicatedsat- 2,113, onthe .frame 23andtheupper tend `of ,the f casing v.is fadjustablysconnected sby a .stud 2.09 pivotally -connected V.to .the `casing',and extending through the upper part of .thefframe and adjustably-l secured ftheretolbynuts '1I 0 .and 2|| on such Stud. '.'Ihefmptorlincludes,a;.pulley zls `which drives-.aperti is andihisbeitingrmn drives .a .pulleyQz I 8. ,mountedrcn ashaft k,-prciecting into Ythe transmission I asfpresentlyswillbefdefscribed. Y Forfdriving the cylinder l-2 he trans- ,mission has-fa shaft;2;20which carrie K ulley 22| about which-a beni-22 .is-.trainedsSucbeit-eni-.chdriies :th 'c n- .der. vItis `to .fheicbseryed rthatithe-transmission `ami-:motorareiat.opncsitcfsidesiof-:theirarcrlhl but :the V:transmissicn :iis heavier :and through Sits the-tub and frame :in conjunction fwth other Z715 greater 1weighi-.inclus :the :pulley 22| :operative-1y engaged with the belt although it should ber evi'- dent that if ever necessary, the transmission may shift upward slightly to relieve the strain in the event of unexpected load conditions.

Referring to Figure 5, the belt 2|6 is trained about a drive pulley 225 which is keyed to a main drive shaft 226. This drive shaft is journaled in a ball bearing 221 mounted in an arm 228 which in turn is secured by screws 229 to a pump housing cover plate 230. Such arm forms part of a larger cover 23| for the transmission casing and in this connection attention is directed to Figure 12 which shows that the arm 228 and the larger cover 23| are connected by a joining yoke 233. Inwardly of the pump housing plate 230, the shaft is -fastened to a pump rotor 235 and the pump housing is completed by a casing 236 secured by screws 231 to the plate. The pump housing includes an inlet 238 located centrally of the pump and an outlet 239 and the use of the pump will be explained presently in greater detail in connection with other parts of the machine. The shaft 226 at its other end is journaled in a sleeve bearing 240 located in a hub portion 24| of the cover 23| and projects into the transmission housing indicated at 242 which is connected by bolts 243 (Fig. 6) to the cover.

Still referring to Figure 5, the shaft 226 within the housing has a clutch indicated generally at 245 and this clutch includes an end plate 246 which'has driving engagement with the shaft by means of flats 241. This end plate abuts a shoulder 248 on the shaft so that the plate is held against axial movement towards the cover plate 23 I. A second end plate 249 is drivingly connected to a gear 250 turnably mounted on a sleeve 25| keyed to the shaft also by means of the flats 241, and the plate has an outer, axial flange 253. This ange at one or more points has an axial slot 254 which receives tongues 255 on three clutch plates 256, 251 and 258. Additional clutch plates 260 and 26|, arranged in alternating relation to the plates 256, 251, and 258 are keyed as indicated at 262 to the sleeve. Between the end plate 249 and plate 258, a pressure ring 263 is provided for pressing the clutch plates together and the ring assembly against the end plate 245 when the gear 250 is moved to the left. It should be evident that when the gear is moved to the left, the plates are frictonally engaged and lock the sleeve to the plate 249 andgear 250 so that the latter will be rotated by the shaft. When this pressure on the gear is released, the clutch plates will separate sufciently to allow the shaft to rotate relative to the gear. A spring washer 265 is provided between the inner end of the sleeve and the plate 246 for insuring separation of the plates when pressure on the gear 250 is released.

The other end of the sleeve receives the end of a second shaft 264 having iiats 266 which drivingly connect the sleeve thereto and this second shaft has an integral pinion portion 261. Washer means 268 are provided between the latter and the sleeve and when the second shaft is shifted to the left, the gear and sleeve will be moved therewith so as to cause the clutch to engage. Beyond the pinion portion 261, the shaft 264 is journaled in a sleeve bearing 210 mounted in an arm 21| secured to the casing. Axial movement of the shaft 264 for clutch engagement is effected by means of a slidable bushing 215 mounted in a portion 216 of the arm 21| and this bushing contains a spring 2,11which presses against a ball 210 seated in a recess 280 in the end of the shaft. Movement of the bushing 215 is effected by av lcam actuated arm 283 pivoted, as indicated, at 284 onv the arm portion 216 and such cam arm carries an adjustable screw 285 engaging theV end of the bushing. At its other end, the cam arm 283 carries a cam engaging roller 286 for effecting periodical movement of the arm as will be explained hereinafter in connection with the general cam control of the machine. From the description so far, it should be evidentthat the gear 250 may be drivingly connected to the shaft 226 when the shaft .264 is shifted by the cam arm and it should also be evident that the pinion portion 261 on the shaft 264 is constantly driven.

Still referring to Figure 5, a lower counter shaft 290 is journaled in bearings 29| and 292 in the cover 23| and housing 242', respectively, and this shaft has vagear 294 `keyed thereto as indicated at 295 which is inmesh with the gear 250. A large pinion 300' loosely mounted on the shaft 290 and meshing with the smaller pinion portion 261 on the shaft 264 has a one-way driving connectiony 30| with shaft 290 and this connection includes a nut 302 having an internal spiral thread 303 engaging a similarly threaded sleeve 904 keyed as indicated at 301 to the shaft.k This sleeve is held in xed axial position on the shaft by the gear 300 and the gear 294. The nut 302 has radially extending clutch teeth 305 on one side face which are adapted to engage recesses 306 onthe sideof the pinion 300 when the nut 302 travels axially. In order to cause the nut to travel axially, va spring retarder wire 3|0 is disposed in an annular groove 3H inthe periphery of the nut 30| and one end of this retarder has an eye 3|2 which is connected to a pin 3|3 on the pinion 300. In length, the retarder 3|0 is almost completely annular and it resiliently grips the bottom of the groove 3| it should be evident that if the gear 300 begins to rotate relative to the shaft 290, as for instance, when the machine is started and the clutch 245 is not engaged, the pinion 300 will begin to rotate and its rotation will tendrto turn the nut 30| through action of the retarder wire 3 0 and rotation of the nut causes it to travel into engagement with the gear. When such engagement occurs and the nut may no longer travel axially. it must of necessity drive the sleeve 304 and consequently the shaft 290. If the shaft 290 is being driven in this manner and the clutch 245 is engaged, the gears 250 and 294 will cause the shaft 290 to rotate more rapidly than that rotation resulting from the driving of pinion 300, and as a result, the faster rotation of sleeve 300 will reversevthe movement of nut 30| so that it will be disengaged from the pinion 300. During this fasterV rotation, the retarder 3|0 will idly slide on the nut. From this description it should be clear that the shaft 290 may be rotated slowly by driving through the pinion soo and driven more rapidly by driving through the gear 294 when the clutch 245 is thrown into engagement.

It might be stated at this time that the cylinder is adapted to be rotated a number of revolutions in one direction and then through a number of revolutions in another direction and so on during washing and rinsing operations and that the speed of such rotation will not reach more than 48 to 52 R. P. M. On the other hand, for extracting moisture from the clothes, vthe cylinder is to be rotated at a much higher speed, say 375 R. P. M., and this rotation will, of course, occur in one direction only. By throwing the clutch 245 into engagement, the'high speed rota-l tion will be effectedV and when `this clutch is 7 Ytl'rovvii. outV of engagement'the lower trashing speed will bevr eilected; It Arolloversnow that'- bel- Vtween the shaft '2.30' and the cylind'enmechanism must' be employed to effect the reversing` rotation as menti'oiedV and'.` then theorie directionV high speed'.

Now referring to Figures 4, 5 and 8 jointly* it Vvvill be noted that a second counterv shaft 320 is mounted parallel t the' shaft 29|] and is joinnal'ed in bearirigs 32| and 322 inthe 'cover 23| and housing' M2 respectively. 'I-'he shaft 230 (Fig. 5')V caries a pini-n 323 Vadapted to` be clutched thereto and this pinion meshes with a pinion-324 on shaft 32|! andvvvhich is keyed 'thereto as indicated at 325i The "shaft290'is also prov'ided with a 'second piiirin 326. keyed thereto as indicated at 328 and which shes with an' idler gear 330'v mounted on a stubshaft 33| carried by the housing 242. In turn, theV fc'ilergearr meshes with a gear 332 on shaft 320 which is' adapted vto be clutched tosuch shaft. It should follow frol'n. this brief desc'i'pti'clin that if g'r' 323' is clutched to shaft 230 while geav 332 on shaft 320 is unelutched, the shaft 320 will oe-driven in one direction, Whereas-if 'gear 332 is*y clutched' to Vshaft 3'20 and gear.V 323" is unclut'ehed fo'n' snai-15230; the shaft 32|] will be' driven inthe other direce tion. As' shown by Figure' 8', thel 'shaft '320 en tends 'out of the ca'siiigand isv drivingly connected to the' pulley 22'lijrevio1isly mentioned andvvhich drives the large pulley connected to 'the c'yl'ir'- der'. The means for clutching th one gear and unclutching th'eother now will be described;

With particular reference to Figure" 8, the clutching means for connecting shaft 320 to gear 332 includes al sleeve 33'4 which isy keyed to the shaft'as indicated at 335 andl also secured thereto against axialv movement byset screws 336;. -At one end the sleeve has an opening 331.- substantially fitting the shaft and this portion opposite the key 33| has an axial slot slidably receiving a-shifting bar 34| which has atts inner end a tongue 342. Atv-itsother end the sleeve 334 has a larger opening 343Y to receive a coil' type clutch spring 344 which is isposed over a sleeve 345 mounted on the shaft.- One end of the spring has an` axial proiecti-on 346 extending intoa slot 3"?! in the gear 332 and it also'is-to be noted that a pluralityof` convolutions ofthe spring' atV this end thereof'rt in aoylindrioal opening or recess 3118 inthe geainV The other end` of the" spring indicated at *,353 is'- disposed 'for` engagement by' the tongue-342'Whenthe bar 34 |V is shifted axially for this purpose. Shifting of the bar 34| is-effected by a clutch shifting sleeve 35| having an annular groove 352 and such sleeve is vslidable on the sleeve 334. @ne end of the sleeve has anv inturned ange 355 fermedwith a 'central open ingY receiving the shaft and et one .point the ange has aV radial slot 356- receiving the bar` 34|. Such bar likewise'has a'slot 3511 engaging the flangeat the outer end of the'slotf andy from this,Y `it follows that the bar is1-not only shifted axially by the sleeve 35| butV also-rotates such sleeve.

when. the sleeve 35i4v is shifted to the right from itsposition shown in -Figure 8, theton'gue 342 will be .pressed against the endA coil and as soonuasfl it turns suiciently, it Will engage the Y end 35B of spring and begin toturnA the latten A small expansionr of the spring4 quickly brings it intoengagement with the 'Wall of ope'in'g. 343

and the surface of opening: 3`48- sleeve 3341 "and:

tol

iti

' corresponding to parts' rigore B. when the-sleeve ist is shifted to lthe left; gear '323 thils can lie drivingl'y connected to shaft 290. However, tivoy clutch devices are onhosi'teiv arranged anziii the clutch-sleeves 35| andati are inovee 'together will 'presently te one einteilengages while the other oisengeges and vi'eieeveisa As a result, the 32o? is first irri-ven in one direction and thenin the other es the elettr; sleeves are driven., and it 'follows that trie jshing 'machine vvill te siiniiarly driven. control ofthe-mechanism therefore; onlii reiuires 'tntthe' clutch sleeves 35i and ati be shifted si= niiiitfneoiisiy and periodieallyshelthat at predei terniined tintes the elutehj 245 heengaged toeiieet high 'speed operation; Itnlay be mentioned too that are provided, es presently 'v'vill be da sented; to insure that the high spe-ed rotation Jwill oe'oo'r 'only at a tinievvhen the cylinder is ro- 'eating at the slower speedvin the saine direction that high speedrota'tion is to occur.

Now directing attention to Figui-es 4', 5 and s, a oomb shaft Sleis arrangesV acovethetvvo shafts isc one' er!)l and this shaftnas its/ends joui-holed in cover lplates 31e and 377V, secured to the easing. As pest shown by Figure 6, this shaft has a hub e19- tnrnatly oispo'seouoht'he shaft and siieh init carries-a 'ring gear 'af-to arivingiy fastened to the hun.A The gear meshes with a wenn 'l shown oy Figures i and 5- andthe Work in tuin is fixed to alshaft ist ioornsle'il in the opper hart or' the hired ann 27|. A larg'e genres?. drives the shaft 382 as shown by Figure't 'and this gear meshes with thegpinionrportiont1 on- 'shaft 216i.

Referring to Figure 6, the hub 319 at one point adjacent its periphery carries a small pinion ses' vvnioh meshes with a large gear 38s keyed, as in-4 d ieatod at 381, to the earn shaft. "rho pinion 385 alsorrneshes with a ring gear a'- xed lto 'the oas- Ilgplate all and tiiisnng7 gear has one tooth 1ejss than then gear est; it should follow that whenfthesniall pinion 385 rolls around the periph-1 eryv of the ring gear 388 and the ring gear 385, its rotation around its own axis will be governed by the ring gear and since the' gearv att-haso'ne more tooth; the latter eearwill advance one tooth for each revolution of the hub 37s. The cani shaft 31S therefore tornsvery slovvl'y and in actual use itt/ill turn only one revolution in, for example, 45 rninutes. g

Y Ilie'hb 379 also carries acam 39|] which may b 'terrified' the reversing cani and this cam serves t'o shiftv the two clutch sleeves 35| and 36 |Y periodi- *Additionallg the camY shaft carries what mayrbketermed a synchronizingcam 39| which is provided for the purpose ofinsuring that the high speedkctation vvil'lf be .initiatedA only when the cylinder is turning slowly in the saine directionfr the projecting end is" provided- Witl'i aca-"iiif '39T for 'controlling the inietiwater. This tain cante shi-fteofoitialiy to vary-ftheteiniieratnre or 9. scribed in more detail. Y'All of the cams 392, 393, 394 and 391 are keyed to the shaft but the cam 39| is connected thereto by a play-permitting connection and this will be described presently inV connection with Figure 12.

Now directing attention to Figure 13 in connection with the reversing cam, it will be observed that the cam has a dwell 400 and .a land and the ends of the two portions joined by molines 402 and 403. The land and dwell portions are of equal length so that the cylinder willturn approximately the same 4number of revolutions in each direction during washing and rinsing. This cam is engaged by a roller 405 carried by a channel arm 406 which is turnable on a stationary pin 401 and the arm receives within its channel, a second arm 409 which at one end engages an adjustable set screw 409 extending through the base of the channel. At the opposite side of the pivot 401, the armr 408 has a cavity 4|0 receiving a spring 4| which-presses against the base of the channel so as to hold' the screw 409 against the arm 408 while vallowing relative movement through compression of the spring. At its outer end, the arm 408 has a pin'4l2 and, as best shown by Figure 14, this pin carries rollers 4|3 and 4|4 I which project respectively into the annular grooves in clutch shifting sleeves 35| and 36|. It should now be evident that if arm 408 is shifted; it will simultaneously shift the two clutches on shafts 290 and 320 so as to engage one and disengage the other. It follows that as cam shaft 390 rotates, the cylinder may be rotated in alternate directions. i

Referring to Figure 5, the high speed cam 392 has low portions 4|5, 4|6 and 4|1 and when the roller 236 is in contact with the low portions, the high speed clutch 245 is disengaged. The cam also has high portions 420, '42| and 422 and when roller 286 is in contact with these high' portions, the high speed clutch is engaged. Cam portions 420 and 42| are short and rrepresent in the cycle of operations a short high speed spin at the end of the washing phase and a second short high speed spin'at .the end of the first rinse. the high speed drying stage.

The cam 39|, seen best in Figure 12, is provided to insure that the roller 405 engaging cam 390, shown in Figure 13, will not drop into engagement with the low part 400 of the cam when the high speed rotation is'to occur. This result is obtained in the following manner. The channel arm 406 has a roller 425'engaging the cam 39| and this cam has a long high portion 426 acting in the high speed drying stage, and smaller high portions 421 and 428 acting in the minor spins previously mentioned.k Between such high portions the cam 39| has low portions`42 9, 430 and 43|. The cam 39| is driven by an arm 434 fasitened to the cam shaft 315 and this arm has ya pin 43| projecting into a larger opening 432 in the cam. The arm is connected to the cam by a spring 433 and normally when the arm 434 turns with the cam shaft it drives Athe cam through the spring although a positive drive would be effective if the arm 434 moved far enough to engage the side of opening 432. Normally the spring will do the driving. and the enlarged opening permits some movement of the arm relative to the cam.

It will be noted that the arm 408 also has a through opening 440 and that a spring 44|` disposed in this opening presses at one end against a stationary part 442 while its other end presses The larger cam portion 422 represents against the ibase of the channel 406. Viewing Figures 12 and 13 together, it is evident that the springy 44| urges the channel arm against both cams while the spring 4|| holds arm 408 in a certain position with respect to arm 406.

The cam 39| in Figure 12 is in a position substantially at the end of the machine operation and in this position the roller 405 is so related to `cam 390 thatit is at least raised Ato the level of the high part-40| of 'the latter. This means that the cylinder is so controlled by the reversing clutches that itv must travel in one` direction, namely the direction governed by the arm 408 when it is in the position shown in Figure 13.

Now if the cam 39| turns slowly in the direction 4 indicated =by thearrow in Figure V12, it reaches a position where it is ready to drop offv of the high part of the vcam to the long low ,part 43| thereof and it will do so as soonas the low part 400'of cam 390 reaches the roller 405. This will "occur rather` quickly because Athe cam 390 is traveling 4much more rapidly than cam 39|. fI-t might be noted atthis time thatv a neutral step 445 is provided at the dropping 01T side at each lof the high parts 426, 421 and 428 on cam 39| 'and under certain circumstances this is desirable to prevent the roller 405 from dropping suddenly to the low part 400 lof cam 40| at the end of any high speed operation. In -other words, at the .end of any high speed operation, a neutral condi- `tion is obtained before the cylinder can reverse.

As the cam 39| continues to turn in the direc- I tion indicated by the arrow in lFigure 12, the roller 425 is disposed overthe long low part 43| of the cam and when so located, the arms 406 and 408 will be'oscillated about the pivot v401 by cam 390 and during the time roller 425 is relatively moving from the-high portion 426 to the high portion 421 of cam 39| the cylinder is being reversely rotated. When theV high part 421' of cam 39| inally'reaches the roller 425, it

engages it squarely if'l the roller 405 is down on the low side 400 of the cam 40| and in this event, the arm 434 advances relative to cam 39|,but

l just as soon as the roller 405 is moved outwardly by the high part 40| of cam 390, cam portion 421 is thrown under roller 425 by spring 433 and then the arm 406' is held in its outer position. As long as roller 425 isl over cam portion 421,

4cam 390 can continue to rotate without any effect on the reversing mechanism and only one of the reversing clutches will .be engaged. The arrangement is such that always when roller 405 is in the position shown by Figure 13, the cylinder is turning in the high speed direction and consequentlyhigh speed rotation always picks up the cylinder when it is traveling in the same direction as the high speed rotation. This same procedure occurs for each of the high parts as will readily'be understood, andthen as soon Figure 2, is adapted to control ,the motor circuit also and, as shown, a switch 455 is provided which has a plunger 456 in the path of one of the hinges |5I. If the door is opened for any reason,

leading to the drain connection 525. It should be understood that even though this valve is closed, the pump can still operate since in that case the rotor will merely have an idling movement in the pump.

. The general operation of the machine is as follows: In order to insert the clothes, the operator turns the handle |90 so as to actuate latch |6| and release the door cover |50 and then the door is manually moved to its fully open position. This movement of the door opens the switch 455 in the motor circuit and therefore prevents any possible operation of themachine while the door is open. The cylinder I2 is now turned until its door 13 is uppermost and then the door is opened so that the clothes may be placed in the cylinder. In this connection it might be noted that the cylinder may be easily turned 'manually in view of the fact that the high speed clutch 245 (Figure 5) is disengaged and in view of the fact that the oneway drive 30| between shaft 290 and gear 300 permits the shaft to be turned easily in that direction in which the one-way drive is idle. After the clothes are inserted, suiiicient soap is added and then the cylinder door 13 is closed. Following this, the cabinet door |50 is closed and when the latter door is closed the switch 455 is also closed so that the machine is now ready for operation.

Before starting the machine, the operator should determine the temperature ofthe wash water to be used and if water at the higher temperature is to be used, the control 485 on the cabinet is turned so as to shift the cam 391 to the right, as seen in Figure 16. Following this selection of temperature of the wash water, the 0perator turns the other control 486 on the cabinet and this closes a relay circuit which starts the motor and machine operating. With particular reference to Figure 10, the cam 394 will at once move so as to allow the drain valve to close and at approximately the same time, the finger 41| as seen in Figures 15 and 16, `will drop into the cam recess 46'0 and this will open the water inlet valve and allow water to enter the tub. Water will continue to flow into the tub as long as the finger is in the cam recess 460 and then the inlet valve will automatically close as the finger rides out of the recess.

Directing attention now to Figure 11, as soon as the machine starts operating with the relay circuit closed, the switch cam 393 begins also to turn and as the cam surface 450 passes the switch pin 45|, the switch 452 closes and then this switch takes over the control of the motor circuit and at the same time the relay circuit automatically is broken. As will Ibe evident from Figures 12 and 13, the cylinder will start turning in one direction at a slow rate of speed as soon as the machine starts operating because the roller 405 is held in its outermost position and this causes the clutch 360, shown by Figure 5, to be engaged. Shortly after initial rotation of the cylinder, the roller 425, as seen in Figure 12, will drop to the lower surface 43| on the cam 39| and then reversing rotation of the cylinder will occur since the roller 405, in Figure 13, is now free to move in and outover cam 390. When the roller is in contact with the low surface 400 on the cam 390, the clutch on shaft 320 is engaged (Fig.,8) and the cylinder rotates in one direction and then when it is raised to come in contactwith the surface 40|, the clutch on shaft 290 (Figure 5) is engaged and rotation occurs in the other direction.

Washing of the clothes now occurs for a sub--` stantial period of time as, for instance, 15 minutes, and during this time the cylinder rotates first in one direction and then in the other. At the end of the washing phase of the cycle, the drain cam 394, as seen in Figure 10, has turned to such a point that the high part 542 on the cam causes the drain to open so as to allow the water to drain from the tub. At about the same time, as will be seen in Figure 12, the high part 421 on'the synchronizing cam will have reached the roller 425 and then it will move under this roller when the roller 405, in Figure 13, is on the high part 40| of cam 390. The cylinder can now turn only in one direction, which is the same direction as that at which subsequent high speed rotation occurs, since the roller 405 in Figure 13 is maintained in its outermost position regardless of cam surface 400. After this has occurred, the high point 420 on the high speed cam 39|, as seen in Figure 5, moves roller 286 and causes the high speed clutch 245 to engage and then the shaft 290 is driven in overrunning relation to the one way drive 30| and the cylinder rotates at high speed so as to obtain an intermediate high spin after the washing stage. This is desirableso as to cause the soapy water to be thrown from the clothes and to drain out of the tube. Thisv high speed action occurs only for a short time and then the high speed clutch is disengaged and the cylinder slows down and-again is driven by the drive 30| and in the same direction but at the slow speed. An instant later the roller 425 in Fig. 12 drops 01T of the high part 421 of the synchronizing cam 39| and then the roller 405 is free to move in and out on cam 390 and reversing rotation again takes place.

Approximately at the time the rst high speed spin ends, the high part 542 on the drain cam 394 in Figure 10 passes the pin 543 and then the drain valve closes. At about this time also the finger 410 drops into the recess 46| on the inlet valve cam 391 and then water, at the lower temperature enters the tub until the finger rides out of the recess. A rinsing stage now occurs with clean water in the tub and with the cylinder rotating in a reversing manner. This rinsing occurs for a short period of time and then the drain valve is opened by the high part 54| on the drain cam 394 and a second high speed spin occurs when the high part 42| on the cam 392 in Figure 5 causes the clutch 245 to engage. Follow ing this second high speed spin, the drain valve closes when the high part 54| of cam 394 (Figure 10) passes pin 543 and then fresh water enters the tub as the finger 410 drops into and rides in the cam recess 462. A second rinse now occurs with the cylinder again rotating in a reversing manner.

After the second rinse, the long high part 540 of the drain valve in Figure 10 reaches the pin 543 and the drain valve opens. At about the same time the high part 426 of the synchronizing cam in Figure 12 reaches the roller 425 and then as the roller 405 (Figure 13) reaches the high part 40| on cam 390, the cylinder is allowed to rotate only in the one direction again. Shortly after the synchronizing cam functions to insure rotation of the cylinder only in this one or high speed direction, the high part 422 of the high speed cam 392 in Figure 5 engages the roller 286 and causes the high speed clutch to engage. A high speed drying stage now follows for a substantial period of time during which the clothes are brought to a semi-dry condition through cen- 393 and the'machine' stops. This brings all of the cams? an'd other' parts of the machine back to the positions and relations shown in the drawings Ywithv the drain valve still open andthe inlet valve closed. It isonly necessary now to turn the handle i90 to open the door |59 and then to move the cylinder manually until'its door is uppermost.

They clothes can now he removed and hung up to dry.

aseacre.

Although only' one form of thev invention has been illustrated and described in detail, it will be apparent to those skilled i'n the art that various 1 modifications may be made without departing shaft, one' of the loose* gears meshing with'one of the keyed gears, an idler gear between the other for drivingl'y connecting each of the loose gears to' its shaft, automatic means for alternately engaging the clutches, means for driving the second shaft at a high speed' for drying the clothes in the cylinder, speed change means for driving the second shaft at lower speed for washing the clothes, automatic means for controlling the speed change means, and synchronizing means` yfor preventing said r'st mentioned automatic means from a1- ternately engaging the clutches and for maintaining one of the clutches in engagement when the high speed rotation occurs. Y

2. In a washing machine having a tub,v and a turnable cylinder in the tub which is to be rotated slowly 'in a reversing manner for washing and rinsing the' clothes and then. rotated at relatively high speed in one direction for drying the clothes,

a motor driven drive shaft, a second shaft, gear means on the drive shaft and second shaft including a clutch so that the second shaft can beI operativelyv disconnected and connected to the drive shaft, gear means including a one Way drive between-the drive shaft and second shaft for Y driving the second shaft relatively slowly as cornpared to the speed of the second shaft when driven through said clutch, means for periodically causing the clutch to be engaged so as to` effect driving' of the second shaft thereby, a third shaft drivingly connected to the cylinder, means including appair of clutch means between the second and third shafts to effect reversing rotation of the third shaft, and means for rendering one of said pair of clutch means inoperable to prevent reversing rotation of said third shaft 'and for maintaining the other of said pair of clutch means operable to effect rotation of said third shaft in one direction whenV the second shaft is rotated at its higher speed.

3. A transmission for a reversely operating cylinder of an automatic washing machine, cornprising a motor driven drive shaft, a second shaft having alternately operable high and low speed l Vtwo gears and meshing therewith, clutch means IGT connections with; said drive" shaft,A a third shaftV adaptedy to bei connected toA the cylinder and having alternately operable'connections with saidv second' shaft for driving saidthird shaft in opposite directions, and control means driven by said drive shaft4 for rendering one of said connections between the' second and third shafts inoparable` and for maintaining the other operable when the high' speed connection'between the drive shaft and the second shaft is operable.

4'. A- transmission forV a reversely operating cylinderof an automatic washing machine, comprising au motor driven drive shaft, a second shaft having alternately operable high and low speed connections with said drive shaft, a third shaft adapted tot be-r connected to the cylinder and having alternately operable connections with said second shaft for driving said third shaft in opposite directions, and control means comprising gearing connected to said drive shaft, cam means driven by said gearing for alternately rendering said connections between said second and third shafts operable: to effect reversing operation of said cylinder, and. other cam means driven by said gearing for rendering said first mentioned cam means inoperable and for maintaining only one of. the connectionsE between the second and third shafts operable' whenr the high speed connection between the drive shaft and the second shaft isr operable,

5. A transmission for a reversely operating cylinder of ani automatic washing machine, comprising a motor driven drive shaft; a second shaft having alternately operable. high and low speed connections with said drivev shaft, a third shaft adapted toA be connected to the cylinder and having alternately operablev connections with said second` shaft for driving said' third shaft in opposite directions;v and control means comprising a rst cam means for alternately rendering said connections between the' second and third shafts operable to eifecti reversing operation of the cylinder, a secon-d cam means operable at predetermined periods for rendering the first cam means inoperable and for maintaining only one of the connections between theY second and third shafts operable, and a third cam means for rendering the highl speedy connection between the drive shaft and the second shaft operable during said predetermined periods.

CLARE S. JACOBS.

MERTON F. WILCOX.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of. this patent:

UNITED STATES PA'IENTS Number 

